Hello, and welcome to Common Cents, where we discuss topics relevant to those living below the poverty line and other topics that are of importance to those living paycheck to paycheck!
Tonight, President Barack Obama delivered his first presidential address to the joint Congress - and the nation - and its primary focus was on revitalizing the economy. I'd like to just take a moment to reflect on this and on what it means for our nation's future - so tonight, we talk About The Presidential Address.
(To view the full speech and get some more background information, check out this link to the Huffington Post.)
Suffice it to say I'm impressed. Of course, being the cynical armchair economist that I am, I think that pretty words are good for motivating people, but work is still work that still must be done. However, it seems like Obama's job this evening was, simply put, to make people actually feel motivated again. He's been working at the presidency as though it were a real, honest-to-goodness job - with the expectation that there are tasks to be performed and goals to be reached, and that his job is to complete these tasks, accomplish these goals, and represent the country that elected him into office while doing right by what they need.
So does motivation really matter? Of course it does. Even the most calcified human resources departments know that motivated employees work harder and do better work, even if they might not know how to motivate properly. You know the drill -- you probably have something like this at your workplace now and then, where your management gathers everyone up and tries to make them feel better about the way things are, and to motivate you into working harder and faster and better. However, what really makes those speeches is the delivery - whether they deliver it with sincerity and optimism or whether it's more of a cynical mandate read half-heartedly from a script.
Tonight we saw examples of both of these types of speeches. Perhaps it's just that Obama is - if nothing else - a superb public speaker, and that is what makes the Republican rebuttal appear to be a phoned-in effort at best. We saw Obama explaining what he plans to accomplish with the economy in particular -- halving the national debt by the end of his first term, expunging outdated and wasteful expenditures, reassuring people that taxes were not being raised on anyone earning less than $250,000 (95% of the country - including the entirety of Congress), and taking an aggressively forward stance on education, to high school graduation and beyond.
In contrast, the official Republican rebuttal from Bobby Jindal, governor of Louisiana, seemed disconnected, unmindful of the speech it was meant to be a response to. Jindal read his lines dutifully with all the passion of an infomercial spokesperson, even when recounting supposedly personal stories about railing against the inefficiency of governments, and even when trying to use the Katrina disaster to argue his point.
Incidentally, Republicans, if you're listening, the biggest complaint about Katrina was that the federal government was not nearly as helpful as it should have, and could have, been. (Or to put it another way, Wal-Mart, one of the all-time worst companies to work for, did a better job than the federal government at coordinating disaster relief efforts.) In fact, Jindal's speech, in part, complained that government was 'in the way' and unsympathetic. Considering that most people associate the disastrous handling of Katrina with the Republican party, this struck a jarring note when Jindal attempted to explain his distrust of the federal government through Katrina, or more accurately, a note of, 'Hey, we know we caused the problem, but that just means we know the solution!'
Just so we're clear, Louisiana, your governor has told the nation that you can't trust the federal government, but you should learn to trust the Republicans again -- and that if you need help, the governor does not want the federal government to help you. In other words, if you were hungry, and Barack Obama wanted to give you a sandwich, Bobby Jindal would be there to throw it in the trash so that you don't get used to the idea of having a sandwich.
As for the address itself, part of the purpose of these speeches is to convince you that the speaker is capable of leading and is an authoritative figure, and that you are capable of accomplishing what they ask. If I weren't such a cynical person, I'd find that an important part of enacting change - urging people onwards, and convincing them that he's going to do the job for which he was elected. It's the sort of thing that would do you well in any environment, and what better environment than our federal government?
Austin Cushing, Money Correspondent:
Austin's column, Common Cents, published on Tuesdays to Gather Essentials: Money, is focused on life below the poverty line and other topics that are of importance to those living paycheck to paycheck.
Austin Cushing is an eccentric writer, consultant, programmer, poet, photographer, and Microsoft-certified database administrator, currently working as an IT consultant. He writes from personal experience and personal opinion, and enjoys finding the humor in even the darkest aspects of the world. In addition to his column, he maintains Gather groups on a diverse range of topics, from gaming to political discourse.
You can find all of Austin's Common Cents columns at http://commoncents.gather.com. Keep up with Austin's other postings and Gather activity by joining his Gather network -- just click here and select the orange "Connect" button on the left-hand side of the page.
Food for Thought:
President Obama currently has a 68% approval rating, and his stimulus plan presently has a 64% approval rating. Do you think those numbers have gone up or gone down as a result of this speech? Do you feel more or less confident about the state our country is in after this speech?
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Comments: 134
Here's the question that no one really answers
where's the money coming from?
And as far as enormous amount being spent, though they deny it, for a "pet project" of PELOSI, a mouse, the hell with the mouse.
What happened to "main St.," PELOSI?
No one can come up with "REAL FIGURES" for where the money is coming from and in addition, what about the furture, hmm, those kids will pay, believe you me-I'll be long dead, and people in the furture will say "What happened", here's the question for RIGHT NOW
WHERE'S THE MONEY COMING FROM??
WHAT VEGAS BRIDGE, WHAT?
No, it doesn't add up-NOPE!
Have a Great & Powerful YEAR W/J!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why do you listen to this BS? The mouse that was Bull
Few in the Chamber make more than 250,000 in salary so they have no reason to react, except to appease their deep pocketed donors.
I agree the average person is just totally PO'ed at the fat cats and have NO mercy left for them!
WHERE'S THE MONEY COMING FROM??"
In case you missed it, you're about eight years late on your question. Where were you when Bush squandered your children's future to enrich his wealthy friends? How did so many conservatives sleep through eight years, and woke up on inauguration day? I think I know.
I'll be very interested to see his budget. Maybe Canada can take a few lessons from a winner.
BUSH, is gone and the approval rating of the stimulus bill was 55% AGAINST.
Maybe the money will come from the same hat Bush seemed to pull it out of for his PET projects. The nay sayers seem to forget it took Bushes Admin 8 years to drag us down but they already deciding Obama a failure agter 5 weeks.
TYPICAL LEFT-WING- excuses for abuses and lies, but OK, it's your future, GOOD LUCK!
WHERE'S ALL THAT MONEY COMING FROM, WHAT ABOUT ALL THIS WAR TALK IN AFGHANASTAN?
Please explain all this.
"Trickle-down" economics was pushed down our throats by the Reagan Administration, the FIRST Bush Administration AND the SECOND Bush Administration. It's been proven, time after time, that giving tax breaks and stipends to big business simply does NOT accomplish the things they CLAIM it does by opening up the job sector! Let's give "the little guy" some of that action and see what that does FOR ONCE.
Seriously, when someone like David Brooks--who is admittedly not as fringe-bound as Rush Limbaugh, but who has been a vocal advocate of the Bush administration for most of the past 8 years--calls tonight's Republican response shameful and irresponsible, that causes me to take notice!
Our nation is on the verge of riding a metaphorical raft over the falls, and the entrenched members of the Republican guard want to sit back and debate ideology (despite the fact that it is an essentially failed ideology if you look at the performance of Republican versus Democratic administrations since WWI.) Meanwhile the rest of us (moderate Rebublican's, Independents, Centrists, Democrats...) are trying to pull us out of the main current that is leading us further into disaster. Once we pull clear of that inexorable downward momentum, we can hopefully regroup and find a strategy that we'll all be happier with.
I honestly wonder if some of these guys aren't praying for a collapse so they can use assets that they've sheltered elsewhere to gobble up even larger holdings in the world's natural, intellectual and military resources. Yeah, that really sounds like a winning formula for our grassroots-based democratic vision, doesn't it? How did Orwell put it? Oh yeah. It went something like this: "We're all created equal, but some of us are more equal than others."
But, instead I had talked to a couple peoples just this evening of various ethnic groups, who wait for bread to be given out by a local grocery, oh I guess the owner makes $250,000 sorry.-I don't know the owner, but was a bit angry and wanted to help somehow.
WHERE'S THE MONEY GOING- I guess should also, be a "real" question- OH YES, PELOSI AND FRIENDS ARE INVOLVED WITH SERIOUS PORK!
It's your lives too, their using remember that.
In the Red: Despite Republicans' stated concern for fiscal prudence, the national debt, adjusted for inflation, has taken some of its biggest jumps in the Republican administrations.
Source:
GOP late to the party in condemning deficit spending
Solvent?
Mark - Great graphic. I feel a sudden need to paste it all over the Internet. Note that the GOP's beloved Reagan is #2 - Mr "Get Government off our backs!" As whosit once said, what you're doing speaks so much louder than what you're saying, I can't hear what you're saying!
MR G O P
TheNewFacesoftheGOP.jpg
Something is very WRONG, why would such wealthy people compared to all other groups have supported OBAMA, if they really were going to lose and become jus' one of their subject's?
As, the old saying goes-"You can fool some of the people, some of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time"
It did not matter in the lowest income group who was President, anyway.
In addition, the reason many think that a Republican CAN get elected, THINK ABOUT THIS JUS' FOR ONE MINUTE-if the Democrats were so darn good, why aren't they ALWAYS, elected?
Here's why they give all the money of middle-income, working people away to their pet PORK, so after enough years of them and looking at their wallets, getting thinner and "NO REAL INCREASE", after all the programs for OTHER'S, the poor-RIGHT? No, that's WRONG- and for you Sarah, answer me this and BTW, that graph just hides real stats-ANYWAY-if the Democrats are so darn always better for the working class, not true anyway,
WHY
then aren't they always elected AND why did more of the over-payed CEO'S and other wealthy contribute to the DEMOCRATS year after year?
Another little note, guess who gives by far more to the poor? CONSERVATIVE'S- All mouthy Dem's do- is tell other's what to do, then steal, like there really is NO TOMARROW.
great debates in the comments
Ideology aside, it sounded like President Obama means business!
Yeah, a totally non partisan spiel that ignores the messy similarities of this and the last administration in overspending and promises. Right down to the promise to cut the deficit in half (totally based on hopes that tax revenues will increase because of new taxes-a marginal idea at best according to both history and economic rules and the winding down of one war while ignoring the escalation of a far more expensive one) in his first term. That by the way was a line McCain also used that Obama himself laughed at.
He's a good speaker, no doubt. The substance, what there was though was not anything to encourage investors anywhere to rush out to put money in the market or to start business expansions. Neither the business nor consumer confidence is soaring much on the basis of any of his plans.
Now, the good news. I watched a movie and when I turned back to TV, Louisiana Gov. Jidal was speaking. You are right, his delivery is not up to the fake standards of Obama - but he is living in reality and spoke the truth. His state is one of 7 who are NOT accepting the artificial "stimulus" pkg. offered by the Fed. govt. Why? Strings and control and mandates attached.
The BILLIONS of $ sent to that state in a recovery effort DID NOT GET THERE. Unless you were there and physically helped and gave $ while there, your funds were used to make the corporatists richer. The Red Cross takes your money and uses it against you - save for the great volunteers from around the country - they don't know.
Here is a great article which speaks to the reason these states are NOT taking the "freshly printed money" and understand the rest is borrowed from China. They are using your house and my house and land as collateral.
http://www.newswithviews.com/Stuter/stuter144.htm
The Republican Party DID loose it's way - most of them are Republicrats too. The two party system is all but dead. If Jidal can revive the Republican philosophy, then I will go there... Until then, they are all the same and they vote the same on important issues. Don't forget the illegal "bailout". Was pleasantly surprised when they all voted against the "fake stimulus". Will have to figure that one out.
S. Carolina, Mississippi, Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, and Texas are the others, at this time. There will be more as over 20 states have now been working on taking back their sovereignty. I've been encouraging PA to follow this path to take our state and freedoms back and work to restore the Republic.
Monsanto controls the "roundup ready" seeds the farmers MUST purchase from them, as they cannot save seeds from hybrid plants. So, the seeds are GM (genetically modified) and when you eat the crop, you are actually consuming small amounts of poison (which still have a cumulative affect on your health). Corn and Soy are both completely GM. (this legacy will eventually destroy surrounding crops AND new, SUPER weeds will grow, and will have no control. Mutation will happen, just as it does in vaccines and why MERSA cannot be stopped.
They want to tax EVERY cow $75 per year because they leave off "methane gas". Bye bye to more small farmers. (thank you Al Gore and THAT big fat LIE)
They want to chip EVERY animal, including fish (NAIS) so they can track the food supply. Tons of extra paperwork and health papers just to buy and sell these animals. Bye bye small farmer (the large-corporate farms, of course, will be exempt).
Raw milk being shipped from one state to the next, to be used in dog food or any animal consumption, MUST be treated as "hazardous waste". Bye bye use of raw milk not allowed for human consumption - perhaps contains something the inspectors didn't like. However, milk from MEXICO comes into this country, COMPLETELY UNTESTED and UNINSPECTED. You can buy that milk at Wal-Mart.
Small farmers have NO employees to lay off - they and their family are it! They make little or no profit every year and survive off the land and animals that no longer produce (i.e. old milk cows). Small farmers were doing fine, UNTIL fed. Govt stepped in; easy low interest loans they could not pay back - caused them to get in over their heads. I could go on, but this gives you a taste of what I know about family farms - husband grew up on one and his friends and brothers still farm.
Restore The Republic’s Response to State of the Union
http://www.restoretherepublic.com/latest-news/rtr-response-to-state-of-the-union
Tonight we heard an eloquent speech presented by a master orator. He was polished, witty, and it seemed he was very sincere in his desire to help the American people. Once again the American people basked in the gentle glow of their televisions to hear the President of the United States slide around his oath to the Constitution.
Having said that; here is a man that less than 5 weeks ago swore an oath to "protect and defend the Constitution;" who spoke for 50 minutes on the many and costly programs that were totally outside the scope of the federal government.
This is not about saving money, or banks, or car companies, this is about saving the very principles this great nation was founded upon.
What we heard tonight was nothing more than a plea to race headlong toward socialism, to spread the wealth around, as he has said before. He wants to create federal lending funds and housing rescue plans to help individual home owners (wealth redistribution). He wants to swoop down from on high with the "full force of the Federal Government" whenever any bank may be having problems and bring them to task. And may we remind the reading audience; it was that very same federal government that mandated that these banks make those loans or loose their favored bank rating. They caused the problem by their very own regulations and offer to fix it by increasing regulation and control. What this really means is more power for the central government and less power to the states.
Then he tells us how he inherited this "Great Debt"... and within 30 days of taking office created the largest governmental spending in the history of the nation.
He spoke of more money for education. In effect creating a cradle to career, (his words were birth to college) to get more college level workers into the system. He spoke of providing every child the opportunity for universal education to include a college education that will cost at least a half a trillion dollars in and of itself to educate those 7 million students.
He wants to immediately establish the electronic healthcare records program. As with every other electronic system in existence, the federal government will have its fingers fully intertwined within it. And anyone who believes the government will not utilize every bit of information it has at its disposal to fulfill any of its “missions” is either ignorant of the working of our government or a fool. A possible example how this would work is: Because terrorists, who may be bringing in lethal gases, viruses, nuclear material, etc. may potentially display symptoms requiring they receive medical attention, the records of all hospitals will be made available to the federal government to ensure the safety of our nation. From here it is a small step to tie into the Center for Disease Control so they can monitor the health of the nation and be able to more accurately determine when a pandemic is occurring. Then as the government becomes more involved in banking, health insurance, etc. they will need access to determine the status of their clients. After all they (feds) are paying for it therefore they have a right to know what “their” money is doing, right?
Then there was the quickly touted claim of enacting “preventive health care.” One can only be lead to believe that because you are on the government’s health care system you must comply with certain requirements to ensure proper cost saving measures. One could envision a required semi-annual checkup, weekly exercise program, and calorie and meal requirements for the obese. All of this in an effort to reduce the overall cost of the healthcare system and make people healthier. Of course they will now live longer because they are so much healthier, but don’t fret the 750.00-month social security pension will see you through just fine.
The issue here is not what can be done but who should be doing it.
A charter that enumerates the powers of the federal government created the federal government, that charter is called the Constitution for the United States. Each and every item in the Presidents speech cannot be found supported by the Constitution. Who knows better what the people of a particular state need, the people of that state, or the President? Who would be in a better position to help those in need, a President in the White House, or the legislature of the state where they reside?
What we need is for our states to stand up on their own two feet and tell the federal government enough is enough. We, the states of this union, created you and we can dismantle you. Repeal every law, ordinance, and statute that is not founded in the enumerated powers of the Constitution, stand down and let the states handle their own domestic problems. The Tenth Amendment states that all powers not enumerated in the Constitution are reserved to the states or to the people and damn it it’s time we stood up.
Obey the Constitution or else!
Written by Michael LeMieux and Gary Franchi
"I'm in DEBT to my follicles! I've a PERFECT IDEA! I'll borrow and SPEND my way out!"
Wake up.
To you Obama-worshippers this man has stolen trillions of dollars we do not have and your grand-kids will be saddled with it. This state-ist leftist is out to change the very foundations of our country.
Commissar Obama and his band of state-ist liberals who now control our government are set to share the pie by force, you either give your paycheck to big brother Obama and his street thug Marxist goons Acorn or you will be PUNISHED by the State.
Remember the words of Michelle Obama" Some people are going to have to give up their portion of the PIE". If you dare to try and better yourself in America work hard, get an education, stay off drugs, stay out of jail, raise your kids rather than abandon them, pay your mortgage loan, and try to put a few dollars in the bank to better your life--You will be punished. Commissar Obama and Commissar Michelle, are watching and if you refuse to abandon your American dream of self-interest, and "change"your thinking, by giving your self-interest over to the collective interest of the State to be redistributed to the People Obama picks, you will be punished by The Obama central government Brown Shirts.
Whats a few billion dollars more. This unfortunately is the idiotic thinking going on in America today. Rita it's not the country that's on the brink today it's our constitution and our freedom that is on the brink.
Spot on!!!
Politicians are like diapers, should be changed often and for the same reasons.
LOOK AT THE VOTES for all major freedom and financial killing legislation. If you believe their lies, why didn't the Dems STOP or slow it down the last couple years. Hmmmmm
Do your homework on these issues - don't "assume" and/or take my word for it.
Democrats are not angels, but Republicans bear the responsibility for where we find ourselves, and that is a fact. You all spent the last eight years going along with any damned thing Bush wanted to put through, not a peep about no bid contracts in Iraq, etc. and never said a peep. Now it's all Dems fault, too. Give me a break.
You apparently haven't heard of something the Republicans were going to nuke when they were in power, but now find is their newest, bestus friend. The Filibuster, that's why.
You'd better check your own buttox.
Ron & Buddy - read the link I posted above, or at least read...
http://www.newswithviews.com/Stuter/stuter144.htm
If you want the real news, you must go outside the U.S.A. - no wonder they think we are dumb and stupid. People listen to the nightly propaganda and brainwashing and then believe they are "informed". Hogwash!
However, until there is enough general education to get good, educated people into office and thus change the prevailing value systems in Washington, it will always be an uphill battle.
About a hundred years ago the communists were open about wanting to take over one or both political parties. They succeeded with the Democrat party, and have been highly successful in neutralizing the Republican party by splitting it internally.
Many states have examples of the Republican party largely being taken over by statists. I can tell some stories that have happened before my eyes that will make you tear your hair out.
However, there are some good stories, too, because there is a lot of "grass roots" activity that keeps the party from being overtly "democrat light", and who also can bring effective pressure to bear on the state legislature.
That is where I've seen "the People" be most effective. It's easier to get good people in State offices than Federal offices, and good people can have a direct impact.
How childish is this man of the people- Obama said "Nobody will mess with Joe. A 10 year old might say that?.
Less childish than you, apparently. 65 dollars a month will make a lot of difference for a hell of a lot of people in need. I admit it's not the millions that a rich guy under Bush got, but it will help.
Here's a link I use every day - for REAL news. Ron - we are more alike than you think.
dailypaul.com
Sign up, log in, and post your questions and/or views. They have been spot on, even about the recession (which the govt. denied for over 2 yrs) and the upcoming depression. Have been stocking up on food, gold, silver (including pre 1964 junk silver), and any other necessities to survive.
I keep informed, I suspect, as well or better than you do, I just tend to look at both sides and determine who is lying the most. For the years since Reagan, it's no contest. Sorry.
You believe he is a nutcase because that's the news and propaganda from our fascist media. Wish you well with that...
Take a look at the site - read news from around the world - then decide. Someone who expounds education shuts down additional ideas and input is closed minded. I look at the truth - regardless of party affiliation. I've proved over and over again - THEY ARE ALL THE SAME.
Posters there are from all over the world and have been spot-on. If someone tries to post 'garbage" they are called on immediately for proof.
No, I believe that because when he started his campaign, I considered supporting him, and went beyond his pablum, and did some deep research into his past, and his associations. I came to my conclusions on Paul through his words, and his history, and who he chose to associate himself with. He is a racist, he believes in the integration of church and state, he believes in total deregulation, and he believes in total free trade. None of these things are smart, or even desirable, but through his fiscal restraints, he seem s to have you and others bamboozled into believing he's some God, like you accuse Obama supporters of. He's not a God, neither is Obama, but he's miles above that idiot.
Every single example of deregulation in my lifetime has resulted in negative consequences to the people of this country, while giving the elite carte blanche to feed upon our sorry carcasses. I say look how well DEregulation has worked. The mess we are in now, is the product of just that.
You want Socialism/Communism/Fascism, I want to restore the Republic - we won't agree an anything.
I disagree from a historic, legal, and constitutional standpoint that the federal government never had any obligation during hurricane Katrina. therefore no possibility failure.
Ive been thou many Natural Disasters as such, the State and local government run the show the federal government isn't involved at all until weeks later when it writes checks.(Which is probably a bad thing given it induces risk taking)
Hurricane Katrina represents one of the most dangerous poltical demand for federal power expansions in our history. The consequence for that demand have already resulted in the Federal government calming authority over local forces that could enable it to make itself a dictatorship.